Pejavar seer begins fast to protest attack on places of worships

Udupi, Sep 29 (UNI) Sri Vishvesha Thirtha Swamiji the seer of Udupi Pejavar Mutt, began his 24-hr-long fast this afternoon to protest against the recent attacks on places of worships in Karnataka.

The pontiff, who commenced his 24 hours fasting from noon, told UNI that he was undertaking the fast against the 'painful' incidents of attacks on places of worships and a temple at Yalahanka near Bangalore.

''I want people to practise peace and shun violence. The Centre and the State Governments should bring out a law against luring hapless people to conversion. Many organisations may have denied indulging in conversions, but appeasing the poor to convert is happening in many places,'' he said.

He accused that an organisation in state capital had openly admitted that funds from foreign countries was flowing into India to induce people to convert to a particular religion.

''It is unfortunate that no one was coming forward to lodge complaint. However, if conversions was done with the consent of a person there was nothing wrong in it,'' he said.

But what was happening in the society was fraudulent and forcible conversion by luring the people. This should be opposed, he said.

Replying to a query, the seer said there was an urgent need for the Centre to take stringent action to contain increasing terror activities, which was threatening the life of innocent people in different parts of the country.

UNI MA RS RC KN2038